London & Tyne Electrical Engineers

[midgemeg]

Can anyone help with information regarding this unit. I have a number of cards sent from St. Omer where this unit must have been based in 1916/17. I believe they must have been operating searchlights but really do not know much about them

Andrew

[Ron Clifton]

Hello Fairhaven

These are actually two separate units, the London EE and the Tyne EE. They both fdormed part of the pre-war Territorial Force and their original purpose was to provide searchlights mainly in connection with coastal defences.

During the war most searchlight activity in France was connected to AA defences. St Omer being a major town in the rear areas, it would have AA guns and searchlights defending it - the latter possibly drawing its men from both the London and the Tyne units.

Ron

[midgemeg]

Many thanks for the information. I did understand they were two units whilst in England but wondered what happened when they went to France. On the MIC of one of the Officers ( H.C.C. Tufnell) it has London & Tyne E & M Corps RE.

[Terry_Reeves]

Fairhaven

Tufnell was a member of the London Electrical Engineers. He was an Associate Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers and is shown in the November 1918 Army List as a Captain with a seniority date of 1 June 1916. He was to become a Deputy Assistant Director of Engineering Stores, from 1 July 1918

Whilst Ron is quite right in his post, officers did move from their original appointments, particularly those with professional qualifications. The Tyne Electrical Engineers have a regimental history which also covers large parts of the London Electrical Engineers in respect of Anti Aircraft Search Light Sections. Chapter seven covers the period you are interested in. You should be able to find a copy on the internet.

TR

[pdtiffin]

From the History of the Tyne Electrical Engineers:

A unit for France was formed on 16th November 1915 from personnel of the Tyne and the London Electrical Engineers and was designated No. 1 (London and Tyne Electrical and Mechanical Company R.R. (T.F.). The company, 4 officers and 122 other ranks strong, under the command of Major A.E.Levin of the L.E.E. embarked at Southampton and landed at Havre on 15th December 1915 - this is consistent with the MIC of HCC Tufnell.

Second in command was Captain G.L. Russell (T.E.E.)

Section officers were Captain C. Tufnell (L.E.E.) and Lieutenant F.H. Bowers (T.E.E.). Bowyers returned to England almost immediately and was replaced by 2nd Lt.J.O. Baird.

Their main duties were electrical lighting of hospitals, CCS etc

Best regards

Peter

[midgemeg]

From the History of the Tyne Electrical Engineers:

A unit for France was formed on 16th November 1915 from personnel of the Tyne and the London Electrical Engineers and was designated No. 1 (London and Tyne Electrical and Mechanical Company R.R. (T.F.). The company, 4 officers and 122 other ranks strong, under the command of Major A.E.Levin of the L.E.E. embarked at Southampton and landed at Havre on 15th December 1915 - this is consistent with the MIC of HCC Tufnell.

Second in command was Captain G.L. Russell (T.E.E.)

Section officers were Captain C. Tufnell (L.E.E.) and Lieutenant F.H. Bowers (T.E.E.). Bowyers returned to England almost immediately and was replaced by 2nd Lt.J.O. Baird.

Their main duties were electrical lighting of hospitals, CCS etc

Best regards

Peter

That is brilliant!! I have a number of cards sent by Charles Forsyth a sergeant in this unit - to his wife at North Shields. On his MIC he entered France on the 16-12-15 which ties in with your information. Nearly all the cards are censored by Levin (Arthur Everard) , Tufnell and Russell. Two cards are censored by different officers but I cannot decipher the names. I rather hoped they were in charge of searchlights as two of the postcards depict mobile searchlights. Perhaps they did this as well? However I now have all the infromation I need. Thank you all very much

Andrew